Blue Jackets News

Columbus Blue Jackets Sign 2004 Entry Draft Pick Grant Clitsome

COLUMBUS, OHIO – The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed defenseman Grant Clitsome to a three-year standard entry level contract, club General Manager Scott Howson announced April 7. Clitsome was the Blue Jackets' 12th pick, 271st overall, in the 2004 Entry Draft.

Clitsome has spent the past four seasons playing for Clarkson University (ECAC), where he registered 16 goals and 57 assists for 73 points and 122 penalty minutes in 150 career games. In 2007-08, he tallied a career-high 5-17-22 and 28 penalty minutes with a +19 plus/minus rating in 39 games and was named First Team All-ECAC. He helped Clarkson capture the ECAC regular season title with a 22-13-4 record and advance to the elite eight of the NCAA Tournament, earning NCAA All-East Regional Team honors.

The 6-foot, 210-pound native of Gloucester, Ontario led all Golden Knights defensemen in scoring three times during his career. Prior to this season, he also led team blueliners as a junior with 7-12-19, 38 penalty minutes and a +13 plus/minus rating in 38 games in 2006-07 and as a freshman with 2-11-13 and 36 penalty minutes in 39 games in 2004-05.

Deposits are now being accepted for the 2008-09 season. For information on season tickets, mini-plans or group tickets, call (614) 246-PUCK or 800-NHL-COLS.